The Moroccan tennis scene continues to turn heads across the African continent. On Friday, the dynamic duo of Lina Bezza and Sofia Hadab clinched the coveted U18 African Championship doubles title in Cairo, a landmark victory in the African Junior Tennis Championships.
In a nail-biting final, Bezza and Hadab overcame Egypt’s Jian Ibrahim and Judy Tawila in three fiercely competitive sets (6-7, 6-3, 10-8). After narrowly dropping the first set in a tense tiebreak, the Moroccan pair mounted a brilliant comeback, dominating the second set before closing out the decisive super tiebreak with nerves of steel. This triumph cements Morocco’s rising status as a powerhouse in African women’s tennis.
Singles success in sight
Morocco’s success in doubles was just the beginning. The country’s players are also making waves in the singles competition, with two potential titles on the horizon.
Amine Jamji delivered a commanding performance in the boys’ semifinals, defeating Egypt’s Seifelden Samih in straight sets (6-4, 6-3). Jamji’s combination of power and tactical finesse earned him a spot in the final, where he will face South Africa’s Connor Doig, the tournament’s second seed. This match presents Jamji with a golden opportunity to secure another championship for Morocco.
On the girls’ side, Lina Bezza, fresh off her doubles victory, continues her sensational run. She dispatched Algeria’s top-seeded Maria Badache in the semifinals with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 victory. Bezza now eyes a perfect tournament sweep as she prepares to take on South Africa’s Jahnie Van Zyl in the final.
A gateway to greatness
The U18 African Championships, classified as a J200 event by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), are being held this year from January 27 to February 1 in Cairo. Drawing nearly 60 of the continent’s brightest young talents, the tournament serves as a vital stepping stone to the professional circuit. With performances like these, Morocco’s tennis stars are carving out a future that promises to shine even brighter on the global stage.
